'It's not the proudest moment of my life': Rob Cross opens up on unpaid tax after failing to pay over £450k

Rob Cross has opened up on his unpaid tax which hit the headlines in the past few weeks and saw him banned from being a director and forced to pay back over £450k in unpaid tax.

Cross admits that he likely will be tarnished going forward but is ready firstly to try and defend his US Darts Masters title in the knowledge that he is rested up and ready for a busy period. By his own admission, he said he has barely played in recent weeks and that he has rested instead.

"I was buzzing walking in today. Such an iconic arena, I've been here twice this will be my third time. I loved it from day one, but winning it last year was very special," said Cross to OnlineDarts.

"I've had some new darts (since the Premier League) and I'm not going to lie I've had a massive rest. I've rested up and tried to build the batteries. I'm not too sure where my game is. I'm mentally good and that's where it needs to be."

On the unpaid tax, he said that he puts his hands up and that he was surprised it took so long for the news story to break in the end.

"It's not my proudest moment of my life. I've done wrong and I'll hold my hands up to it. Going down this route with the IVA to pay the money back means I'm not running. I suppose you make mistakes in life. I'm willing to correct them, it's going to tarnish me but I'm going to do the right thing."

"It's been going on for two years. It's took two years to get to something of a resolve. It's cost me a lot of money to get there. Needs to be paid back. This isn't new news to me, I was probably suffering more two years ago with it."

"I have to admit it's the only thing I am happy with, it's sorted it's there now. I can just carry on working, pay it back and move forward."

"I was surprised it took the best part of two years to come out. It was a long wait but there was so many complicated things. The UK government didn't want me to go bankrupt which is rightfully so and I don't think I've needed to."

"I'm sorry to let all of my fans down, I will get it sorted and back on my feet. Hopefully it won't linger over me for the rest of my life."